I have owned a 2004 Z06, a 2010 Porsche GT3 and currently own a 2014 Nissan GTR, all stock. I test drove a new 2015 Z06 today. Automatic without the Z07 package. I loved everything about it except the throttle response was awful, even in manual with track mode. Downshifting on the freeway and burying the throttle made a lot of noise as the exhaust opened up but the car really didn't want to get up and go. I had already agreed on a deal with the dealer (precondition of a test drive) but couldn't pull the trigger. I even took the salesman and sales manager on a test drive in my GTR which was not in track mode and they both agreed that I was right. Is there something that I missed like a valet or demo mode that slowed down the response? Does Chevrolet do this on purpose to protect newbies from themselves on aggressive throttle tip in? I know that final drive ratio makes a difference but this seemed to be much more than that. With almost 100 HP over my GTR and a lighter weight I expected awesomeness. I really liked the car but I couldn't go ahead. The fun factor just wasn't there. The car won't see the track (been there, done that at VIR--too old now) and will be a frequent but not daily driver. I still have an option to buy the car and I don't want to miss out if this is just an aberrancy.

 

If you check through the forums you will see that for the first 500 miles GM limits the vehicle. Once you get to the 500 mile mark those restrictions end. I have 1200 miles on mine and it runs great. I'm sure that after 500 miles that one will too.

 

if its like my zl1 you have to hold the traction control down for quite awhile to get everything off (nannies). When my car comes in I will be able to give more insight but i just ordered mine yesterday. I would say though unless you have the nismo gtr you should see a huge difference. Btw way nice gtr if they made it in a manual i would have bought one as my personal preference is manual and i couldn't bring myself to own an auto while i am still healthy enough to shift which lord willing will be another 40 years or so

 

wow see i didn't know about the 500 mile deal. Glad i do now so i won't be disappointed

 

Are you sure you were in track mode (Tr)? Sounds to me like you were in Tour (T) mode. The throttle response in Tour is noticeably slower than in Sport or Track in my car. The slightest bit of throttle in either Sport or Track and my car is gone. Just my thoughts.

 

Seriously!!! Is there any documentation on that? Not that I don't trust you but I hate to drop 100 k on a car have it depreciate 20 k out the door and find out that it's not fun. I kinda did that with the GTR thinking that I would grow to love it and found out it was too stiffly sprung for an old guy and let it sit in the garage for a year. Now 2 years old with 5 k miles and a lot of remorse. And yes I and the sales manger tried track mode.

 

Unfortunately after 500 miles the throttle response does not change regardless of which PTM mode, tour, sport or track. The throttle angle area will be less than 100% below 3200 RPM as per the GM ECU program limits. Unless you are willing to void the warranty and reprogram the ECU you have to live with it.

 

I find the throttle on this car to be very "deep" - in other words, the initial travel produces only a gentle response. You really have to push it in if you want to go fast.

Personally, I would prefer a more sensitive / linear throttle that really gives you a feel for how much power is available, even in that first bit of travel. I can only assume GM designed it this way to be extra easy to drive for the less aggressive drivers among us.

That said, you can get used to it, it's just not ideal. I believe others have said that if you are willing to tune the car, the throttle response can be adjusted and improved. I'm also going to install a Halltech intake on mine soon, as some have reported improved response with it.

 

This is entirely incorrect information. There is nothing in the ECU that limits the performance based on mileage. This rumor was spread early after the C7 Z06 launch based on PR comments from GM. It has since been entirely discredited. Do a search here and learn for yourself.

The only thing that the car changes at 500 miles based on programming is the RPM warning ring above 4000RPM. After 500 miles it becomes the warmup RPM warning ring. But it never changes the RPM limiter.

 

I apologize if I misinformed you. I know on mine that at 500 miles the redline moved. I kept the rpm's below redline but was told that the performance would improve at 500 miles.

 

No worries. Just didn't want this rumor to start up again (it's been since December that this wrong info made a thread), and new owners and new CF members need the correct info.

The change of the RPM advisory/warning being always on, not the actual RPM limited red line, is what changed at 500 miles. This ring is not a "red line". It's the same for ALL C7, not just Z06. After 500 miles, this warning ring comes back on each cold start and gradually decays until fluids come up to temperature. But nothing stops the RPMs from hitting the real RPM limiter as soon as the car is turned on.

Now as for performance improving over the first few thousand miles, that's entirely possible and likely as the powertrain and driveline break in. But it has nothing to do with the car's ECU programming.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I understand that this power change after the break in seems to have been discredited, but I felt a difference. Perhaps it was just my lack of guilt over holding the throttle open harder? Or maybe it does change the throttle response but only in some modes? There is clearly a difference inthe throttle response in the various modes, and unless you had it in track, then went into the totally derestricted ptm settings, there is some oversight by the electronic nanny.
Fwiw, I've had/have about ten 475+hp cars. Na/turbo/supercharged, and the throttle response in sport mode is a bit gentler than my euro charged na c63. I have driven various of these cars on tracks as well.
This car has the most fun factor of any car I've had, combining the finesse of an F430 with the blunt force of a v10 viper.
Just my2 cents. I'd buy it.

 

Well y'all probably won't believe this and maybe its just my imagination, but I dd mine and its seems to be different from time to time. Actual case in point earlier today I left from a traffic light and came off of the clutch a little quicker than I really wanted to and it seemed to accelerate better right then than it did at the drag strip last Thursday night. It was enough force for me to hit the head rest. Crazy. I've been drag racing over 36 years and this car is unlike anything else I have ever driven. And I just still can't believe that the A8's have such an incredible strip performance advantage over the M7's. I have a nitrous oxide kit in my garage that is just sitting there and can easily be jetted for 200 HP and I don't think that would be enough to put that car as far down in the 10's as these A8 guys are running.

 

I agree with your thoughts. I did the Diablo tune and increased the throttle response 20%

Talk about making a difference ! Nice and snappy now. Don't be disappointed it takes 10 min with the Diablo to really make a huge difference. I know I'm happy I did it

 

 

9k+ miles on mine. Track mode always. Love the car to death but I agree...the throttle lag I could do without. Hopefully Halltech will help that a bit.

 

Yes. Note what it says in the ptm column. "Available"
When you go into the sub menu available on the zo6 and mag suspension stingrays there are addl modes available which have different throttle response. This can be felt, and was stated by the instructors at the fellows school,as told to them by the development engineers. And yes, I've read the manual too.